The Embassy of Switzerland has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment for a “National Solid Waste Management Programme” (NSWMP) that will be implemented across four Egyptian governorates in the Upper Egypt and Delta regions.

An embassy press release said that the programme will serve the urban populations of Qena, Assiut, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Gharbeya governorates, which host a total of approximately 3.5 million residents. It aims to support the establishment and implementation of effective policy, legislation, and institutional arrangements for municipal solid waste management at the national, governorate, and local levels, coupled with the implementation of related infrastructure in these four governorates.

The infrastructure implemented includes the construction and extension of waste treatment, recycling, or composting facilities, landfills, and transfer stations, as well as the supply of equipment for waste collection and transportation.

“Switzerland’s investment in the solid waste management sector underlines the Swiss commitment to protect the environment and the health and safety of Egyptian citizens,” said Markus Leitner, the ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt.

He added that the participation in the project of governmental, industrial, and private sector actors, both from the formal and informal sector, will provide for an efficient framework and an effective implementation.

The five-year programme will contribute to sustainable protection of the climate, environment, and natural resources, as well as reduction of health risks for the Egyptian population. It will start in 2016 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

NSWMP is jointly financed by the German government via KfW development bank (as the lead financing institution) and GIZ, the European Union, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and the Egyptian government. The total cost of the programme is estimated at €66.5m. The Swiss contribution will be a grant amounting to €10.5m, dedicated to investment, technical assistance, and capacity building.